Lawsuits, Bitterness and Hardship - Stories of Band Breakups

            When I was in the sixth grade I was in my first real band. We had six guys: drums, guitar, bass, trumpet/trombone player, pianist, and singer. Our first practice lasted a total twenty minutes. We spent fifteen minutes rehearsing covers and five minutes attempting to write original material. We ended up just jamming for an hour. Then decided being in a band was tough, so we went skateboarding. We clearly were on the path to major success. We only lasted as a band for 3 months. We played two live shows and rehearsed only two times a week. We were in 6^th grade. Drugs and alcohol weren’t the problem. Success hadn’t gone to our heads. In fact we didn’t have any success. The run was over as soon as it had begun.

            Earlier this week news came out that the huge EDM super group Krewella, which is made up of sisters, Jahan Yousaf, Yasmine Yousaf and Kris Trindl, had broke up. And the breakup was getting messy. They have been a band since June 8, 2010. The reason why this date is definite is because all three members bear matching "6-8-10" tattoos commemorating the date. Since becoming a band they’ve sold millions of records and toured the world playing in front of millions of people. Unfortunately on Tuesday, Kris Trindl filed a $5 million dollar lawsuit against the sisters for being kicked out of the EDM group “unfairly,” according to Billboard Magazine, next day, October 1^st, the Yousaf sisters responded to the suit and its allegations.

We woke up this morning to the lawsuit Kris filed against us.  As you all know, there are two sides to every story. We ask our fans to please be patient and not come to any conclusions until we are able to respond to the lawsuit with the truth. Our team has advised that we don’t get into any specifics until we can properly respond to the false claims made—most importantly being that we did not kick Kris out of Krewella, he resigned. We’re having a really difficult time today. As we write this letter to you, we are in the studio working on the second album. Please hang in there with us, the truth will eventually come out. Thank you for being so supportive, we love you guys. – (Billboard Magazine)

Trindl, according to widespread sources, was kicked out of the band for alcohol abuse. However, he has previously checked himself in rehab for alcohol abuse. After he emerged clean, the sisters and fellow band members claimed that he was depressed. It seemed is mood was weighing down the group. Whether, this is true or not, or if Trindl in fact continued his sobriety remains to be seen. The fact remains, he is no longer with the band.

            Band breakups, often followed by lawsuits, are not a new thing. The majority of bands go through breakups. Or at least they take breaks. My sixth grade band was not bucking the trend. Rolling Stone magazine has published articles covering the biggest band breakups of all time. The names are infamous. Guns and Roses, The Everly Brothers, The Pixies, The Clash, Rage Against the Machine, and Oasis, are just a few mega groups that had mega meltdowns. Like Krewella, many bands break up due to alcohol or drug related issues. Sometimes break ups start over creative and monetary control. Big bands lead to big egos. So why is it so hard to stay a band? Why was it so hard even in sixth grade, when we didn’t have to face adult issues? Why couldn’t we hold it together? It seems the only answer is a delicate balance. A balance that remains a mystery to many including me. But in Krewella’s case, did they kick out a band member going through the challenges of trying to better himself? Or did they do what was right for the creative health of the group? The Yousaf sisters or Trindl? Can you pick a side? If it is too difficult, you could always give up and go skateboarding. Unless of course, you want to be in a mega band.